The upside-down values of Jesus
Jesus changes the values of women, marriage, children and money to their rightful place in God’s creation, and in his future kingdom. We see things too often from utilitarian standpoint what they’re useful for, we change the values of these God-given gifts to suit our needs for our agendas, your God has given us a greater purpose, and greater means to use these things as glory and then they’re right place.
Marriage: More than a ring
If Jesus is in Perea, which was under Antipas’s jurisdiction, the question may have been put to trap him on the issue of Antipas’s marriage to Herodias, over which the Baptist had lost his head (6:18). If that is the context of the question, then Jesus is being asked whether Antipas was justified or not in divorcing the daughter of King Aretas to marry Herodias. But even if the question is not politically motivated, the Pharisees surely suspect Jesus of holding views on the subject of marriage that differ from theirs.
Finally, we must not forget the vital role of the gospel in these matters. Anyone who has been through an illegitimate divorce or sinned sexually against his or her spouse needs to know that these are not unforgivable sins. These sins are what sent Christ to the cross, and all who put their trust in Him are forgiven. The kingdom of God is not closed to those who are divorced, and all of us in the church should be quick to share this good news with those whose marriages have failed or are hurting.
Children: More than annoying
Possessions: More than things
Conclusion:
Lord’s Supper:
Charge & Benediction
29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Mark’s record of the question of the Pharisees is surprising since, as was well known, Jewish law permitted divorce. The only question concerned the grounds of divorce, as recorded in the parallel in Matt 19:3, “ ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason.’ ” This final phrase was the crux of the controversy over divorce in Jesus’ day, as is reflected in a celebrated passage in the Mishnah:
The School of Shammai say: A man may not divorce his wife unless he has found unchastity in her, for it is written, “Because he hath found in her indecency in anything.” And the School of Hillel say: [He may divorce her] even if she spoiled a dish for him, for it is written, “Because he hath found in her indecency in anything.” R. Akiba says: Even if he found another fairer than she, for it is written, “And it shall be if she find no favour in his eyes.” (m. Git. 9:10)